Dolphin spotters asked to take part in survey

Dolphins, seals and porpoises are being monitored in Essex today as part of a national week-long survey run by the Sea Watch Foundation.

The group is inviting the public to record sightings of these marine mammals, which are regular visitors to the British coastline, to help build a scientific understanding of their behaviour.

Wildlife enthusiasts can take part in the event at Canvey Island between 11am and 3pm today. Conservation biologist Dr Renate Kowalik, of the Zoological Society of London, which will be at the event, said: 'People who come along might see a bottlenose dolphin that has been in the area for a while, common or grey seals and, if we are lucky, harbour porpoises.'

The ZSL runs a Thames marine mammal survey all year, and asks people to record anything they spot in the Thames at Zsl.org .